State Legislature honors Caledonia’s walking man:
Stanley Rychlicki

    Caledonia proudly calls him their own, even though he’s shared his stories with people miles away. He even holds a page in the Guinness World Book of Records. Now, the New York State Legislature recognized the Walking Man, Stanley Rychlicki, with a resolution honoring his numerous lifetime accomplishments.

   Assemblyman Daniel Burling, 147th District, presented Rychlicki with the honor at a Republican fundraiser held February 22 in Caledonia. The two met when back in 2005, Rychlicki sent a personal invitation to Burling, and the entire community, to join him on the Source of Success 5K run/walk. Proceeds from the event went to SOS, an after school program for Cal-Mum CS sixth and seventh graders. Burling walked alongside Rychlicki for the entire route, stopping to shake hands with many residents along the way. The two crossed the finish line with a big wave.

   The 88-year old Rychlicki was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Polish immigrants. He left his formal education at a young age to work in the coal mines. As a young man he entered the United States Air Force and served his country during WWII in Australia, Japan and the Philippine Islands.   

   He took a job in 1948 with the Atlantic Pipeline Corporation as a pipeline inspector, walking 136,887.02 miles over his 37-year career with the company. That accomplishment earned him a page in the 2005 Special Anniversary Edition Guinness World Book of Records. He’s been an invited guest at schools where he’s shared with students many heroic stories of his days walking the pipeline across mountainous terrain, over raging rivers, frozen snow covered woods and blistering hot fields. Since his 1985 retirement, Rychlicki has continued to walk numerous miles for a variety of causes, including the Source of Success 5K walk/run.

   Rychlicki attended the Republican event along with his son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Pam Rychlicki. He was surprised when Assemblyman Burling called him forward to receive the legislative resolution.

   "It was a great pleasure to present my friend Stanley Rychlicki with a legislative resolution recognizing his lifetime of accomplishment. He is a decorated WWII Veteran and great American who still actively works for the betterment of his community. Stanley is a positive example to all and richly deserves this recognition by the State of New York and the local community," commented the Assemblyman.

   With the warmer weather fast approaching, Rychlicki will, no doubt, be out walking, talking and giving the wave that has become his trademark.

   "I never felt as good as I have lately. In the spring I plan to take part in more walks, speak to patients in hospitals and talk to more kids," Rychlicki said.